Author and wedding consultant Diane Warner explains tricks for turning your home into a perfect wedding chapel. With simple materials such a candles, tulle netting, ribbon and twinkly white lights, you can transform your home into a perfect and personal site for this important ceremony.

The first step is to unclutter your living room by removing all knickknacks, family photos and cumbersome pieces of furniture. To create the illusion of a chapel, rent white folding chairs, and set them up with a wide center aisle. Decorate the aisle with tulle netting and ribbon. Drape twisted lengths of netting and ribbon from chair to chair (figure A), and loop wired nosegays of roses around the ends of the chairs (figure B).

An ordinary table covered with a white tablecloth serves as an altar. Place ferns on rented plant stands and dress up everyday houseplants with tulle netting and white bows.

A mantel covered with tulle netting and white pearl decorator lights serves as a lovely backdrop for the ceremony. Tie a piece of tulle netting at both ends, and tack it to the mantle with pushpins or double-sided tape. Place candles, white pearl lights and a lovely flower arrangement along the netting (figure C).